Bac Ha Secondary and High School in Lung Phinh Commune, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province - a locality in a particularly difficult area of ​​the country. Nearly 100% of the students in the school are children of ethnic minorities such as Mong, Phu La, Dao. Established in November 2022, the model "Leaders of Change Club" was born with the mission of building a safe and friendly school environment and promoting the role of students, especially ethnic minority students, in spreading the message of gender equality and violence prevention. With 30 members, including 17 female students and 13 male students from grades 6 to 9. The model quickly became a bright spot in the movement of life skillseducation and raising community awareness.

Since its establishment, the model of "Leaders of Change Club" of Bac Ha Secondary and High School has been actively operating in many diverse forms, attracting the participation and enthusiastic response of club members and students in the school. Up to now, the Club has organized 27 activities for members, including 4 special sessions with 60 members participating; participated in exchanges with the Leader Clubs of the entire Bac Ha district in 3 sessions with 74 members attending; organized 6 school-wide propaganda sessions with about 2,500 students and parents attending, focusing on contents such as: Traffic safety, social network safety, school violence, early marriage, reproductive health at school and in the commune. In particular, the Club has organized 2 dialogue sessions between the school's Board of Directors, commune authorities, parents and students, with more than 150 participants.

The "Leader of Change" Club exchange program organized by the Women's Union of Bac Ha district in 2024.

In addition, the club also uses creative forms of activities such as establishing a Zalo group, creating a propaganda page, dramatizing activities and participating in events and activities organized by the Women's Union at all levels. These activities have created a useful playground, helping students better understand social issues and their rights.

By participating in the club, students are exposed to and practice communication, presentation, debate, teamwork and problem-solving skills. They also learn how to organize activities, games and other life skills - fundamental skills that help them grow up and succeed in the future.

Many children have boldly participated in activities, are less shy and timid, more confident in communicating, presenting opinions in front of adults, and actively participating in common activities. Students' initiatives and proposals on a number of children's issues have received positive support from teachers, parents, schools and local authorities.

Thereby, the model has contributed to changing the mindset and raising the community's awareness of the rights and roles of children. The rate of students graduating from grade 9 of the school continuing to study at general schools has increased compared to the previous period (reaching over 85%); in which many students participating in the club have passed the exam and studied at district and provincial boarding schools for ethnic minorities.

With the advocacy of the club, school and local authorities, the awareness of parents and students about child marriage has changed significantly. Currently, there are almost no cases of child marriage and incestuous marriage among students in the school.

The “Leaders of Change Club” model has proven to be effective in empowering and enhancing the capacity of children in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. The model not only helps children develop comprehensively, but also contributes to changing community awareness, building a more positive and safer living environment for children.

VAN ANH

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/xa-hoi/dan-toc-ton-giao/cac-van-de/giup-tre-em-dan-toc-thieu-so-duoc-phat-trien-toan-dien-832768